jellyfish in December
 

I know that in some parts of the pacific, there are very poisonous jellyfish during the summer months (Australia for instance). What about Tahiti?

My daughter will be visiting there in December--just thought I should research the ocean-swimming situation a bit. What should she be aware of?

A quote from the Tahiti Islands Holiday Facts site:


"Swimming is safe in most areas but there are some local passages and reefs that have dangerous currents, particularly on the main island of French Polynesia. Beware of walking on coral or swimming in shallow waters - coral cuts can easily become infectious and quite painful. It is best to stay within the sheltered lagoons and not venture out beyond the reef unless with a local guide."


The one major annoyance is sand flies in some areas which give a very itchy bite.

What part of Australia, caligirl?

Pat,
I thought that there were jellyfish to watch out for along the beaches in North Queensland in the summer. We're working on a trip to Australia in the next year or two, so I've been doing some research (with lots of wonderful help from this forum!).

But, now my daughter's been asked to go to Tahiti with a friend in December. Just thought I'd feel better if I did a bit of research so I could tell her what to look out for. She's 23--I guess I'll never stop acting like a "mom".

Sorry caligirl, as you only said "Australia" I didn't know where you meant. If you do a search you should find heaps of information here about dangerous marine stingers in northern Australian waters - I don't know about Tahiti, but but am assured by people from Hawaii that they are not unknown there, as well as other Pacific Islands.

Box Jellyfish, Seawasp or Stingers breed in mangroves. Hence no mangroves no stingers. they are not something to be messed with. 6 cm of tenticle was enought to make me sick and I have hairy legs which lessen contact. I still have the scar nearly forty years later.
Swim on th outer reefs, in the hotel pools or go up into the mountains and swim in the clear waters of a crater lake.